North Side students make holidays bright for kids surviving cancer

Students at North Side High School will spend the week preparing for the school's 24th annual Christmas Party for Kids Surviving Cancer, which will be from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at North Side, 475 E. State Blvd.
Preparing for the party includes raising money, making contacts with community members for donations, shopping for gifts for each child in every family attending, wrapping the gifts and organizing entertainment. Dozens of students from several student groups, including those focused on community service, as well as those connected to the arts and academics, participate in organizing and putting on the annual event.
Students will shop from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Meijer on Lima Road. The school raised more than $1,200 for the shopping trip through a Winter Dance Show last year and a PTSA Talent Show earlier this month. The gifts will be wrapped from 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at North Side.
At least 16 families are expected to participate in Sunday's party. Entertainment will include performances by Dance V and the Show Choir, music provided by members of the jazz ensemble, face painting and a Mr. Wizard-type science show.
"For nearly 25 years, North Side students have focused on making sure children who are sick and their families have a reason to smile at Christmas," said Mike Morris, who serves as the staff sponsor of the event. "And while the children love the party, I think the students enjoy it even more. They look forward to seeing the families each year and watching the joy they have created for the children."

With nearly 30,000 students, Fort Wayne Community Schools is one of the largest school districts in Indiana. FWCS proudly allows families to choose any of its 50 schools through its successful school-choice program creating diversity in each school, including some with more than 75 languages spoken. FWCS offers seven magnet schools focusing on areas such as science and math, communication, fine arts or Montessori at the elementary and middle school level. In high school, students can choose from the prestigious International Baccalaureate program, Project Lead the Way or New Tech Academy as well as other rigorous academic and specialty training programs.